Additional Coverage:
- Costco shopper exposes how products made by other companies are sold under Kirkland brand (marketrealist.com)
The Secret Behind Kirkland Signature: Your Favorite Brands Might Be Hiding in Plain Sight at Costco
Ever wondered how Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand manages to offer such a vast array of products, from coffee to pet food, all at a seemingly unbeatable price? Prepare to have your mind blown, because a recent TikTok exposé is pulling back the curtain on this retail mystery, revealing that many of your beloved brand-name manufacturers are actually the secret masterminds behind Kirkland’s offerings.
TikTok creator Rossen (@rossen.reports), known for his investigative “Rossen Reports,” dove deep into the aisles of Costco to uncover the true origins of Kirkland products. His revelations, which have garnered over 483,000 likes, have left many shoppers utterly stunned.
“I’ve been investigating all things Kirkland Signature here at Costco, and I’ve learned all the secrets,” Rossen shared. “Like, who’s really making this stuff?”
According to Rossen, the major brands producing these items often keep their involvement quiet for strategic business reasons. But the cat’s out of the bag!
First on Rossen’s list was Kirkland’s ground coffee. His claim?
None other than coffee giant Starbucks is the manufacturer. He even pointed out the placement of Starbucks coffee bags directly next to the Kirkland ones, suggesting a not-so-subtle hint.
“It’s all part of the business model,” Rossen explained. “Starbucks is like, ‘Hey, if you want to spend all your money on our big name brand, fantastic.
But you also can spend less money and get a deal on Kirkland, and guess what, Starbucks is still making money on this too because they make it.'”
The revelations didn’t stop there. Next up were Kirkland batteries.
“Guess who makes them? Duracell,” Rossen declared, noting that Duracell’s own branded batteries are sold right alongside the Kirkland version.
For fans of canned tuna, Rossen had another surprise. He asserted that Bumblebee is the company behind Kirkland’s Albacore tuna. “They make this cheap, different price points, and Bumblebee more expensive, but they’re making it,” he detailed.
Even our furry friends’ food is getting the brand-name treatment. Rossen claimed that Kirkland pet food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, a “top brand known for amazing ingredients” and “really well regarded.”
When it comes to baby essentials, the story continues. Rossen stated that Kirkland Baby Formula is produced by Perrigo, a lesser-known company that, according to him, “actually make the infant formula for all the big US retailers, it seems,” including giants like Target and Walmart.
However, a recent shift in diaper manufacturers has drawn consumer complaints. Rossen reported that Kirkland’s baby diapers, once produced by Huggies, are now made by First Quality, and some shoppers have noted a decline in quality since the change.
So, the next time you’re pushing your cart through Costco, remember: that Kirkland Signature product might just be a familiar face in a clever disguise, offering you a great deal while simultaneously benefiting your favorite big-name brands. It’s a win-win, or at least a very intriguing business model!
For more surprising revelations, be sure to follow @rossen.reports on TikTok.